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Middlesbrough have raised the stakes in their dispute with Derby County by reportedly telling the Championship play-off finalists of their intention to sue Nottingham Forest’s greatest rivals.

Boro chief Steve Gibson was left furious earlier this year after Rams owner Mel Morris purchased Pride Park before leasing it back, in what Gibson felt was a blatant disregard for the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules.

According to The Telegraph, Boro, who missed out on a place in the top six to the club managed by Frank Lampard, informed the Rams of their intentions on Friday, just as they continued preparations for Monday’s showdown for a place in the Premier League against Aston Villa.

The action comes after the Rams posted a £14.6m profit when they submitted their 2017/18 accounts, which showed local businessman Morris had bought their 33,597 seater stadium and then leased it back to the club he took over in 2015.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson (Image: PA)

Derby remain convinced that they have played within the rules, and claim to have offered Boro the chance to scrutinise their accounts, but the Teessiders have yet to agree.

Speaking previously, Morris said: “Middlesbrough were offered by us in writing to come with their advisors to go through our submissions for profitability and sustainability, they declined."